be much worse. With some self-denial and economy we shall weather this
storm, as we did many when first we were married." Then they smiled at
each other, and Paul saw that they grew happier again at once.

"Shall I tell the boy about it now?" asked Mr. Anketell. "He must know
sooner or later."

Mrs. Anketell looked at Paul for a moment with an expression on her face
that he could not read, but he thought she looked sorry about something,
and very, very sad; then she looked away at her husband and nodded assent.

"Paul, my son," said his father, turning to him and laying his hand gently
on the boy's arm, "I want you to listen to me, and give me your whole
attention. You are old enough now to be our confidant in many things, and
of course you will understand that what we may confide in you we trust to
your honour to respect as a confidence, and to speak about to no one."

Paul said, "Yes, father," in rather a frightened voice. He knew that it
was considered 'sneakish' to tell a secret, but he had never dreamed that
secrets could be such very solemn things.

"Well, my boy, we have met with a very great misfortune, and have lost a
large sum of money, and from being a comparatively wealthy man, I have
suddenly become a comparatively poor one. If only I myself were concerned
I would not care, but for your mother's sake, and for the sake of you
children, I am very much troubled and grieved. I am afraid we shall all
have to give up many things, and do without many things, and save in every
way we can."

Paul had grown very grave, and for a moment he sat thinking, wondering
what he could do; he was very anxious to help. "Father," he cried, at
last, "I know one way we can save a good bit of money every year: I can
leave school, and I could go out to work. I know Farmer Vinning would
give me a job; he said he wished he had a boy half as spry as I am, and--
and then I could bring home my wages every week to mother." And for the
moment Paul could not see what hardship people found in being economical.
But his father only shook his head and laughed.

"It would be poor economy to take you away from school for a long time
yet, my son," he said. Then, seeing how Paul's face fell, he went on:
"The things we can do for the greatest advantage to others and ourselves,
too, are not always the things we would like best to do. To be a real
help and comfort to us, you must stick at your work as hard as you can,
and make the